BAE awards three frigate contracts to local suppliers

A South Australian advanced manufacturer is among three local suppliers to have secured contracts for the $45 billion future frigates program.

PRP Manufacturing chief operating officer Luke Sernecki. Picture: Supplied by BAE Systems Australia

Three companies including a South Australian advanced manufacturer have secured work on the $45 billion future frigates program.

The contracts form part of the prototyping phase of the project, which has started at the Osborne shipyard.

Dudley Park based PRP Manufacturing is among the project’s new suppliers, and will supply gaskets for the prototype ship blocks being built at Osborne.

Head contractor BAE Systems Maritime Australia will build five representative ship blocks during the prototyping stage of the project, before construction starts on the first Hunter-class frigate next year.

NSW company Defence Seals & Spares has been chosen to supply manhole and access panel gaskets from its Warriewood operations, north of Sydney, while Victoria’s ABECK Group will supply flowforge gratings from its Dandenong facility.

PRP Manufacturing chief operating officer Luke Sernecki said that the frigates work would enable his company to grow its capability and capacity for both local and overseas export markets.

“The contract will lead to further jobs for PRP here in South Australia, with an increase in skilled labour in manufacturing and operations, and investment in capital infrastructure to expand both capacity and capability for future defence-related work,” he said.

“We hope this contract will hold us in good stead for further work with BAE, and also support our endeavours to tender for large contracts for future works.”

The Hunter-class frigate program will deliver nine warships to the Royal Australian Navy.

BAE Systems Maritime Australia managing director Craig Lockhart said work on the prototype blocks would enable systems, tools, plant, workforce and supplier products to be tested, evaluated and refined ahead of construction on the first frigate next year.

“Establishing a competitive, sustainable and resilient supply chain in Australia is critical to the overall success of the Hunter-class frigate program,” he said.

“Each of these three companies bring a unique and important skill-set to the construction of frigates in Australia and delivering the best capability to Navy.”

The three contracts follow a series of earlier prototyping orders with Australian companies including BlueScope, Infrabuild Steel Centre, Intertek, MG Engineering, Altrad, Novafast International, Century Engineering and Mackay Consolidated Industries.

Originally published as BAE awards three frigate contracts to local suppliers